VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM
Helping our young people become sustainably minded citizens
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n our View from the classroom feature this month we’re delighted to hear from Becki Huth, the Sustainability and Forest School Lead at Cutteslowe Primary School, part of the Riverside Learning Trust in Oxford, who tells us about the wide-ranging sustainability initiatives that have been implemented at her school and the surprising impact they have had on both the pupils and the school community.
Tell us about your school
Cutteslowe Primary School is a primary school based in Oxford, part of the River Learning Trust. We currently have 318 children on roll, aged between three and 11. In terms of the school’s demographic, 22% of the students receive free school meals, 22.2% fall under the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) bracket, and 30% are learners with English as an additional language. The latest census revealed that there are 31 different first languages spoken within the school.
As a school, we celebrate the diversity of the wider community and are committed to the principles of inclusion and equality of opportunity. We aim to be “a school of opportunity” for our children, staff, parents and carers.
Our extensive school field has been developed to include a Forest School site that houses a fire pit, reading gazebo, chicken coop, vegetable beds, climbing equipment, and a goat pen to name a few. Our grounds enable us to provide rich indoor and outdoor learning environments, where we can foster confident, independent learners.
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Teaching the children at Cutteslowe about the environment and ways to care for the planet is a real priority for you. Can you tell us why?
I was heartened to read in the Pearson School Report that six in 10 teachers in England believe that they have a responsibility to teach children about caring for the planet and help them to become sustainably minded citizens. This is exactly how we feel at Cutteslowe, and it forms the basis for a lot of the decisions we make at school.
It is important to us that the children at our school have an awareness and understanding of the world around them, as well as a sense of
responsibility and care for the environment. Research shows that early education on environmental issues can shape long-term behaviours, so children who are taught about sustainability are more likely to adjust their behaviour and be more eco-conscious as they grow into adults.
Something we’re incredibly passionate about is ensuring that the children feel connected to nature, which is why we set up a Forest School at Cutteslowe. A connection with nature has so many benefits for children - and adults - such as improved mental wellbeing, increased physical activity, and a deeper appreciation for nature.
What are some of the initiatives that you have implemented to teach the children about the environment?
I think almost all activities we do within the school teach children to love and respect the environment. Whether it’s through exploring the wooded area or caring for the animals, the children are more connected with nature, which in turn helps them foster a sense of stewardship for the planet.
However, we do also have some sustainable- specific initiatives. We are lucky enough to have access to an allotment as a school, where we grow vegetables. The children get to watch the evolution of the seed to plant, which not only gives them an understanding of where food comes from but also instils confidence in them as they watch their plants grow, helps to relieve stress, improves focus and memory, and positively impacts their mood and wellbeing. Our local community helps out with the allotment, which
December 2023
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